Hard-Anodized, Stainless Steel, Non stick...

[Grumpy's Gal]

I recently read an article that said Calphalon and those kind of non stick pans cause harmful fumes if heated to a certain temp - sorry that doesn't help much. did anyone else know about that?

 

[grlpwrd]

I recently read an article that said Calphalon and those kind of non stick pans cause harmful fumes if heated to a certain temp - sorry that doesn't help much. did anyone else know about that?

Yes, I've said it many times that I am a health nut and I am a member of the boards at mothering.com where many people have a plastic-free/noncarginogenic inducing/organic "kitchen." I strive to live healthy-healthy.

Here at the DIS boards if someone wants to talk about health issues or ask direct questions I will interject, but otherwise I don't go off in a tangent or nag about health issues. I recall a recent post about healthy ideas for kid lunches and I got accused of being a bit rude and overboard. Then again this is a budget board, after all, so I understand.

Yes, I have known about the Calphalon and Teflon issues. The word is still out on Silicone bakeware and plastic containers in microwaves are dangerous, too, so I don't use those at all.

 

[jennobrn01]

Yes, I too am worried about the non-stick because of health issues. That is why I am doing the stainless. I just hope I don't have issues with the food sticking to the pans.

 

[storybookstory]

Has anyone used Paderno cookware? It's a professional grade. My mother had a dutch oven and a smaller casserole pot and they worked very well. I would like to invest in a really good skillet and perhaps a few other pieces. I have sentimental reasons for the Paderno as it's made in PEI, Canada (near Nova Scotia) and we visit relatives there every other year or so. I was just wondering if anyone else has tried out Paderno and what they thought of it.

Thanks!

 

[jennobrn01]

Just popping back in to thank everyone for their help and opinions.

Last week I finally purchased my cookware. It is the Farberware Millennium. My mom got the sought after "An additional 30% off your purchase" card in her Kohls flyer. Honey, we spent 3 hours in Kohls buying it up. The cookware was already reduced and with the discount I got a great buy!

Loving my new cookware. It cleans up well. Heats fast. And the glass lids and silicone handles are nice touches.

Thanks again.

 

[storybookstory]

Just popping back in to thank everyone for their help and opinions.

Last week I finally purchased my cookware. It is the Farberware Millennium. My mom got the sought after "An additional 30% off your purchase" card in her Kohls flyer. Honey, we spent 3 hours in Kohls buying it up. The cookware was already reduced and with the discount I got a great buy!

Thanks for the update! I'll check that line out, as I'm in the market for a skillet.

Did well at the Kohls sale myself!! I had budgeted money this month for winter coat/ski pants for my son. With the 30% off deal (GRAND30 code on Kohls.com with your Kohls charge card) I got an awesome deal on a Columbia coat and off-brand ski pants.

I love the Kohls card - it's the only one I have. I only have a $200 limit and when I use it at the store I pay it off as soon as my transaction is over, right there at the checkout. Online I have to wait a few days for it to go through. It's great for the discounts though!

 

[Stein]

I also dumped the nonstick and anything heated in plastic of any kind.

We use stainless and cast iron for all of our cooking. A good cast iron skillet that is seasoned has excellent non stick qualities, but it takes years to get it there.

I personally love cooking on stainless and cast iron once you get used to them. I find I cook differently (not better, not worse), but enjoy the process. I can cook scrambled eggs in the stainless without problems and use the cast iron for fried eggs and pancakes.

I can overheat them without damage and easily transfer from stove to oven and back, which isn't possible with many nonstick pans.

Finally, they simply last forever. We cook in a third generation cast iron dutch oven and it is one of the best pieces we own.

 

[jennobrn01]

I can cook scrambled eggs in the stainless without problems

Oooh what is your secret? I read that eggs are more difficult in stainless. I haven't tried eggs yet.

We cook in a third generation cast iron dutch oven and it is one of the best pieces we own.

That is sooo cool! What a great sentimental piece, and fabulous heirloom as well. I bet the food cooked in that dutch oven taste's fabulous!

 

[Stein]

No secret really, just keep the heat moderate and I use olive oil. Stir the eggs with a spatula every 10 seconds and there you go.

Old cast iron is pretty cool. With all of the new technology out there, it is nice to take a step backwards every once in a while.

 

[christinadei]

I was at Sam's Club the other day and saw a large set of Wolfgang Puck Stainless cookware for $99. It was a really big set. I'm thinking of asking DH to get it for me for christmas. I have some off brand stainless cookware and once I learned to cook on it, I really love it. It's great to brown mean and make sauces. I have one Calphalon skillet for pancakes, etc. And plan to get a few omlette pans by Calphalon. Other than that the stainless work well for me.

Does anyone have reviews on the Wolfgang Puck set?

 

[Chicago526]

I have the Caphlon hard anodized. I love it, but my only regret is I got a set with rubber handles, which means I can't put them in the oven (some recipes call for browning on the stove and then roasting in the oven in the same pan). I'm going to look for a few stainless steel peices I can use for that kind of thing to round out my set. I don't care for stainless steel for most things, it just sticks like crazy if you don't use a lot of oil (at least in my experiance) but it is usefull for certain types of cooking.

But, I've noticed a lot of the cooks on Food Network have mix-and-match cookware, they use a mix of the hard anodized, stainless, and even cast iron! A few use those porcelain looking casarole type dishes for things they start out on the stove and then roast in the oven. So I don't think one type of cookware is good for all types of cooking, someone serious about cooking should probably have some of each. If cooking isn't a hobby for you, you just need to make dinner every night, then a good quality set that YOU like is the most important thing.

 

[christinadei]

The Wolfgang Puck set I saw at Sam's Club looked like this set http://www.frontgate.com/jump.jsp?i...ype=PRODUCT&path=1,2,130,1173&iProductID=5500

If I remember corectly, they include the same peices. I knwo it was a large set with a stockpot and insert and several pots and pans. It was 18/10 stainless. The price difference seems way too big though. $99 at Sam's vs $499 online? I dont' know. I'm going to have to go back and check it out.

 

[ebsbrg]

I don't have any problems with food sticking on my stainless either. I have All-Clad and love it. I probably sort of over-reacted last spring. I ditched all my non stick Calphalon for fear of cancer when the most recent report came out saying anything made with Teflon would have to put a cancer warning on the label. I was thinking more of my young children. I didn't want to cook on that every day of their entire life if there were a chance it would harm them. I did love the Calphalon though but I have to admit, I like the All-Clad even better. It is great.

I still use a non stick bundt pan occasionally but would replace it if I could find something better in that size.

http://www.thecancerblog.com/2006/02/16/fdas-teflon-carcinogen-warning-getting-stronger/

 

[nordkin]

I love my hard annodized Cook's Essentials set from QVC--nothing ever sticks and they clean up great!

I agree with this. Love my Cooks Essentials and they are a great buy on QVC

 

[christinadei]

I checked the Sam's Website and this is the set that is $99. It seems like a really great deal to me.

http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/navigate.do?catg=535&item=170113&prDeTab=2#A

Here are some reviews from epinions. It sounds too good to be true for $99.

http://www.epinions.com/hmgd-Cookware-All-Wolfgang_Puck_19_Piece_Cookware_Set/display_~reviews

 

[englishteacha]

I really like my Revere stainless steel copper bottom cookware. It wasn't very expensive, as cookware goes. My set is the Chef's Request (or Professional something) line. It's very heavyweight and durable. My mom has a few Revere pots and pans from her wedding...44 years ago! They still work great and look good.

My brother has a Wolfgang Puck set and LOVES it. He is the family chef, and his pots and pans see a lot of use. His still looks great and works well-even heating, and stuff doesn't stick (it's stainless).

 

[MiniGirl]

Hi. I have a set of Health Craft pots and pans. I absolutely love them. I have had them for about 12 years and they look just like they did the day we bought them, and yes, I do actually use them. LOL! Now, I have had to replace the handles because they did not hold up, but the pots and pans are pristine. Health Craft also offers a lifetime guarantee, so you will never have to buy another pot again. (Just the handles.) Problem is.... you can only buy them at one of those home shows and occassionally you see them on eBay. They are also expensive. Well, over the $200 you mentioned. We have more than paid for them though. I think they have a web site you can visit -- healthcraftdotcom.
Good luck to you.
Eva

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I bought the best cookware ever a few years ago. It's from a company called Ameriware and is sold thru Costco during "roadshows" (where they have special products for a limited time). The set was $349 and includes anything I'd ever need. It has a ceramic non-stick coating (no teflon!) that is pretty remarkable. During the demo they show you how to make a grilled cheese sandwich by actually melting the cheese in the pan and then sliding it on the bread. I have used it daily and it still looks brand new. Also, it has a lifetime waranty. I have been so pleased with it as I'm a terrible cook to start with, so I need all the help I can get!

 

[jchick]

I bought a set at SAM's club about 6 mths ago. It's stainless steel, and NOT non-stick. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. It's their brand (Member's something or other) and it was around $140 (it could have been a little less or more). I was going back and forth between that set and the Wolfgang Puck set that was right beside of it. I'm sure I made the best choice. I cook a lot, like you it sounds like. I had always used TFal and I hate it. I went and bought a nice saute pan that was nonstick at Linens n Things. I use it for eggs, pancakes, etc. It works well for me. I do want a griddle that is nonstick for grilled cheese sandwiches, french toast, etc. I'm thinking of buying the Pampered Chef one. It's expensive, but I probably won't have to buy another one for years and years.